Radiator



June 13, 1933. A. H. DAVIS, JR., El AL 1,914,193

RADIATOR 11, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept.

WBTMESSES Patented June 13,

UNITED I m ornci:

ABCI-IIBALD n. DAVIS, .13., or NEW 'cnsrm AND raxson mmsoum or rm BURGH, ranasrrarama', assmnoas. mo. smwamxm's Manama-mama coxmmr, or PITTSBURGH, rnnnsrnvanra, A coaromrron or rmsnvmm nannroa Application filed September 1 1, 1931. Serial No. 58 13,807.

This invention relates generally. to heat exchange apparatus and particularly to improved radiators for heating the rooms of buildings. p o

It is an object of the invention to provide a unitary radiator structure that may be easily manufactured, and that is rugged and effective in operation. A furthenob ect is to provide novel means.for fastemng metal plates to tubular members in radiator construction. u p

In accordance with this invention aunitarv cabinet and radiating structure is formed about a heating element, usually a tube for conveying heated fluid, by suitably folding and securing a plurality of sections punched from flat sheet metal. The sections are folded at their edges to channel shape and each section folded upon itself to form a box like element. The edges of the sections are provided with flanged semi-circular openings that engage the sides of the tube, and metal rings are provided for retaining the flanges in contact with the tubes. Any convenient number of sections may be utilized to form a complete radiator. Suitable openings. are provided in the bottom and top of each section to permit circulation of air, and intermediate plates or fins may be ap'- plied to the tube within the sections for conducting heat to the air.

The foregoing and other objects of the. invention that will become apparent upon further consideration of this specification may be achieved by the specific structures described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a radiator embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation ofthe radiator;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section taken on the plane represented by the line IIIIII in Fig. 1. showing means by which the radiator may be mounted;

Fig. 4 is a. view in section taken on the plane represented by the line IVIV of Fig. 1. showing a portion of the radiator in process of assembly to illustrate one ma n.

ner in which it may be put togetherp Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4, showing the heating tube expanded to lock the portions of the radiator in position;

Fig. 6 1s a view, similar to Fig. 4, of a modification of'the invention showing an- .other method of securing the sections of the radiator to the tube.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 3, showing a portion of a modified main cross plate; Fig. 8 is a view in section taken on the plane represented by the line VIIIVIII in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a view in elevation of a contlnuous heating tube provided with indi vidual fins on each run of the tube;

F ig. 10 is a plan view of a flat blank for one section of the radiator that has been cut from sheet metal;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 of the blank after it has been pressed;

Fig. 12 is a view in elevation of the blank after it has been bent to channel shape;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of an intermediate plate; i

Fig. 14 is a view in section taken on the plane represented by the line XIV-XIV in Fig. 13, showing the flanged openings .in the intermediate plate; I I

Fig. 15 is a view in horizontal section, similar to Fig. 4 showing another method of securing the sections to the tube;

Fig. 16'isa view in section, similar to V rality of individual sections 1, each of w ich has an integral front, top and back portion which with the other sections, constitutes a substantiallysmooth, paneled exterior surface for the radiator. At one end of the radiator is connected the usual supply pi e 2 for steam or other heating medium t e admission of which may be controlled by a valve 3 in the usual manner. At the 100 turns or runs lengthwise of the radiator and constitutes the heating element. As shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l, the tube 7 comprises three horizontal sections or runs'that lie preferably in the vertical mid-planeof the radiator. The upper and the middle runs are joined by an integral bend and the middle run is connected to the bottom run by a suitable return bend or elbow- 8 joined to the ends of the tubes by brazed or other suitable joints 9. 1

As shown in Fig. 3, the radiator may be mounted on the wall of a room in any suitable position b means of a plurality of brackets 10 an 11 fastened to the Wall 12 back of the radiator. Such fastening means may be adjustable to vary the height of the radiator, as shown. In some instances it may be desirable to mount the radiator on legs in the usual manner and-in such case any suitable type of base member or legs may be applied.

To ena le air to circulate upward through each of the sections 1, the bottom of each section is left open as shown in Fig' 3 to provide an inlet opening 15, and a suitable outlet opening 16 is provided near the top of each section preferably in the front face thereof, although it may be desirable to form the outlet openings in the tops of the sections in some instances.

Heat is transmitted to the air within the sections not only directly from the surface of the tube 7, which may be considered the prime heating surface, but also from transverse plates or partitions 17 that constitute the sides of each section 1 and that are heated by conduction from the tube. The transverse plates 17 closely'engage the tubes 7 in heat transferring contact, as shown in Figs. t and 5, and function as secondary heating surfaces to transmit heat to the air stream within the sections and also to transmit heat to the exterior surfaces of the sections which function as radiating surfaces for radiating heat directly into the room.

In the event that steam or other high temerature heating medium is utilized within the tube 7 the tube itself will be shielded by the-sections 1 to guard occupants of the room from being burned by it and the exterior surface of the radiator will be heated only to a temperature substantially less than that of the heating medium and about e ual to the temperature of a prime surface ra iator heated by hot water. 3

lin addition to the two side walls or transverse plates 17 in each section, a plurality of free intermediate plates 18 are provided marries within each section on the 7. shown; these plates 18 are the interior dimensions of the sections and somewhat smaller than extend upwardly only to a position slightly below the bottom of the outlet openings 16, but they may be of any size which will fit within the sections. The intermediate plates 18 may be made from any. suitable sheet metal such as copper or aluminum. An inexpensive grade of sheet steel may be utilized with satisfactory results- Tlheseplatcs are made by punching them from sheet stock with spaced holes somewhat smaller than the tube 7 to be received in them and then pressing them to form flanges 19 as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 for engaging the surfaces of the tubes.

The sections 1 may likewise be manufac tured from any suitable sheet metal, but it has been found that sheet steel can be used most satisfactorily to provide an inexpensive and rigid structure. In manu facturl-ng the sections 1, blanks are first cut from sheet stock in the shape shown in Fig. 10. The blanks are provided at their edges with semi-circular openings 21 for engaging the sides of the tube 7 when the strut-tum is assembled. The blanks are then pressed as shown in Fig. 11 to form offset flanges 22 at each of the openings 2 of such dimensions as to adapt them to accurately engage the exterior of the tube 7 I In the next Operation, the blanks are bent to channel shape as shown in Fig. 12 in such manner that the corresponding semi-circular openings 21 at each side of the blanks are disposed in alignment. The metal between the bent down portions of each blank constitutes a continuous strip or ribbon for forming the front, top, and back of the finished section.

To form finished sections from the channel-shaped blanks it is simply necessary to fold'each blank upon itself in such manner that the semi-circular openings 21 at the edges of the blank are brought together to constitute circular openings as shown in Fig. 3. The folds are made on a radius of suitable curvature to give a rounded efiect to the corners of the radiator, and the lower ends 23 of each section are likewise bent or rounded to match the bends at the upper end thereof. Y

For securing the sections together, suitable rings 25, preferably of steel, are disposed on the flanges 22 between adjacent sections. The rings 25 are of sufficient internal diameter to readily slip over the flanges 22 and are of sufficient width to engage the flanges of two adjacent sections. Inasmuch as the flanges 22 are ofiset, the transverse plates 17 may be brought together, thereby enclosing the ring 25 within an annular chamber, as shown in Fig.4.

' ber of intermediate plates 18 areplaced in position in each section. The sectionsare then placed in juxtaposition withthe rings 25 in engagement with the flanges 22 of adjacent sections. The tubes 7 may then be passed through the aligned openings 19 and 21 in the intermediate plates and the sec tions respectively. After all of the sections and their intermediate plates have been thus assembled on the tubes 7,, the lower and intermediate horizontal portions of the tube are joined by the elbow connection 8.

The tube is then blown up or expanded, preferably-by introducing into it liquid under high pressure. When thus expanded the tube 7 will be deformed slightly as shown in Fig. 5, and will securely grip the flanges 22 on the sections 1 between it and the rings 25. Likewise, the flanges 19 of the intermediate plates 18 will be closely engaged in such manner that the plates will be rigidly held in position.

In comparati-vey long radiators made up of many sections it is desirable to make provision for unequal expansion of the different runs of the tube 7. Such unequal expansion may occur when steam is first admitted to the radiator, as the top run of the tube, that is is connected, is heated by the entering steam before the other runs of the tube are filled with steam. I i

To permit the tube runs to expand individually, the plates 170 may be partially divided by transverse slots 26 as shown in .Figs. 7 and 8, between consecutive tube runs. The part of the transverse plate adjacent each tube may deflect somewhat to accomlnodatelongitudinal expansion of the tube without injuriously afiecting the other parts or other portions of the sections.

To avoid the necessity of using separate pieces of-tubing connected by return bends and brazed joints, the tube 7 may be made in one piece as shown in Fig. 9. In order to do this, the intermediate plates are made in sections constituting fins 27 mounted individually on each run of the tube 7. To make aheating element of this type, the fins 27 and thesteel rings are placed on a straight piece of tubing of suitable length and moved to predetermined positions. The tubing is then bent to form the U-shaped return bends as shown in the drawings, bringingthe fins 27 substantially into vertical alignment, or if desired the fins may be staggered relative toeach other.

After the tube has been bent, the sections 1 may be folded over the groups of fins 27 and the flanges 22 moved under the. rings 25 .to the position shown in Fig. 4. The tube 7 may then be expanded to lock the parts in position as before explained.

The details of construction of the radiator may be considerably varied without departthe run to which the supply pipe 2' ing from the basic principles of the invention. For example, in Fig. 6 is shown a portion of a radiator having flanges 22b which are not ofl'set but extend outwardly from the plane of the transverse plate 17b. In this construction the rings 25 are exposed and transverse openings 28 are left between adjacent sections. These openings provide additional heating surfaces as the permit air to flow past the outer sides of t e transverse plates 17b.

A somewhat similar structure is shown in Fig. 15 in which the outside surfaces of the transverse plates 170 are exposed to the air stream. However, to make the outer surface of the radiator continuous, the plates 170 are bent in or dished in such manner that their outer edges are brought to- I gether as shown. This brings the outer faces of adjacent sections into juxtaposition and forms a radiator without transverse ex- 2 terior openings. The passages inclosed by walls 170 extend from bottom to to of the radiator cabinet, thus forming a ditional flues about rings 25.

In Fig. 16 is shown a modification in which the flanges 2203 are bent inwardly instead of outwardly. The transverse plates 1703 are disposed in juxtaposition and a ring 25615 is provided for holding the flanges of each transverse plate.

Special end sections 31 may be provided at each end of the radiator as shown in F ig.

4 for enclosing the bends and connections of the tube 7. The end sections are enclosed by smooth end plates 32 that may be pressed intothem and the regulating valve 3 and the trap 4 may be hidden from view by enclosing them within these sections, leaving only the operating handle of the valve 3 exposed. 3 i;

To improve the 'heat conductivity across the joints between the tube 7 and the plates 17 and 18, the tube or the flanges of theplates or both may be tinned or galvanized and the metal thus deposited on their surfaces may be meltedafte'r the radiator is assembled by. heat-ingthe tube 7 by electric means or otherwise to form a soldered joint therebetween.

The interior-walls 17 of the shell member I extend allthe way from top'to bottom inside the cabinet formed thereby-.' Consequently, in viewingthe radiator, one does not see light on the back wall except such as passes through the two grilled openings in each section or shell. Thatmakes a dark interior and adds materially to the pleasing appearance of the radiator as compared to one that is formed from a single outer shell with no partitions inside it. v

The attractive exterior appearance is fur ther enhanced by providing an-inturned, rounded flange 40, bounding theggrilled openings 16. This not only rcinforces' and posed with said openings the occupants of intense stifiens the sheetmetal shell about thbse and rings encircling the flenges and securing openings, but givessen appearance (is .ck-' he shells to the tubes, the tubes being exness and finish that is quite diillerent from that resulting from'merely cutting the open in s through the sheets. 1

rom the foregoing description it will be apparent that there has been provided a radiator for use in hosting buildings that is compact and eficient in operation end that may be utilized in systems using high teniperature end high pressure steam without danger of the radiator felling to Withstand the pressure and without subjecting the building to the denger of being burned by the high temperature prime surface-0t the rsdietor.

It will be understood that various other modificetions may be mede, by those skilled in the art, in the psrticuler construction of the redietors embodying our invention'without departing trom the spirit end scope thereof defined inthe appended cleirns,

it e claim:

1. A unitary radiator and cabinet cornrising e plurality of box-like sections having llenged openings, seid sections being disin alignment end with the edges of th i'lunges in juxtaposition, a plurality of rings each disposed to encircle the aligned fienges on ediscent sections, end a tube extending through the openings and expended to clamp the flanges within the rings.

Q. in nudists-r construction, as joint i'for connecting a sheet rnetsl partition to o tube that comprises four plates eech herring s semicirculeropening in one edge with en ofiset flange extending normed to the piste end having its edge the plane of the plate, said pistes being; disposed in pairs with the peir in shutting; relation sud with the edges of one pair abutting the edges ofthe flanges of the other pair to define s, circular opening, a ring; encircling the shutting flanges oi? ell tour pistes, and e tube extending through the iisnges of pended to clamp 5. A hosting radiator comprising horizontelly disposedtubes, a radiator shell of channel shape folded upon itself and hsving flanged semicircular openings in its edges disposed to engage the sides of the tubes, and rings encircling the flanges and holding the shell together, the tubes being expended to clamp the flanges against the ring.

the flanges agemst the ring.

6. A hosting radiator comprising at shell i of channel shape folded upon itself end having' flanged semicircular openings in its edgesdis osed to form a circular passagewey, atu e disposed in the circular passageway, and rings encircling the flanges of the openings the grill to prevent light from-passing longi- I,

tudinelly of the radiator.

8. A heating radiator comprisinge tube for heating fluid, and a sheet metal housing carried by the tube in host conducting reletion, said housing comprising e front Ape-r tion having grilled openings near thetop, the edges of said grilled openings being pressed inward to improve the eppeerence thereof and to strengthen the structure.

ln testimony whereof, We hereunto sign our names.

ARCHlBALl] DAVESI, dn,

FAXSON Wild the circulsr opening and expended int/o v clemping relation with the ring, whereby the plates are held securely between the tubesnd the to hold the ports of the shell together and to retain it in position on the its 3. A heating radiator comprising horizon telly disposed tubes, at plurality oi spaced befie pistes curried by the tubes, at plurality o1? housings mounted on the tubes, such of said housings comprising e single sheet of' motel cut end bent to enclose e group ot bridle pistes end to provide flue for conducting eirpsst the tubes end the pistes, sud

means for zoming the housings to the tubes ond-toesch other. 42 hosting redietor comprising cubinet made up of units of chennel she e disposed in junteposition with sligne sereicircular. flanged openings in the edges there ofltubes disposed in the flanged openings, 

